Monthly Archives: November 2012

Recently we asked our employees for ideas of their favorite American made products (other than Stormy Kromer, that is!). With their input, we’ve put together a little gift guide for you to inspire your holiday shopping this season.

We’ll start with some fellow Midwestern companies. Fox River Socks, located in Osage, IA, offers a full range of warm, comfortable, functional and fun socks for all your outdoor activities. They’ve been manufacturing these fine foot covers in the Midwest since 1900. In addition, they are the manufacturer of the Original Rockford Red Heel Monkey Sock. They even offer a sock monkey kit! At just $28, the kit includes everything you need to make one sock monkey. A great project for crafters and their family!

Over in Duluth, MN, Duluth Pack has been making rugged and functional outdoor packs since 1882. Like Stormy Kromer caps, these packs are built to last and guaranteed for life. While you can’t go wrong with an Original Duluth Pack, we also love that they have added a modern twist to their traditional packs, like this Scout Pack complete with laptop sleeve.

Did you know Burt’s Bees products are made in the USA? KJ, one of our Division Managers suggested them, and on their website it states: Over 95% of our products are made right in our own manufacturing plant in Durham, NC. The rest are made by other respectable American manufacturers. They offer a wide variety of gift sets for men, women and babies too, all at a wide range of price points.

What better endorsement could you ask for than this? “I have one of these, and it’s awesome,” says Jeremy from our IT department. The Weber Q 100 portable grill packs 8,500 BTUs in a compact grill that is perfect for your next tailgate or picnic. And of course, it’s made in the USA.

And last but not least, “America’s Favorite Lip Balm”, Chapstick, is also made in the USA. Available virtually everywhere, it makes a great last-minute stocking stuffer. We’ve got a few employees who swear by it up here in the cold and dry Upper Peninsula winters.

SK: What’s your job at Stormy Kromer?
HN: If it’s got two rows of stitches, I did it. I do the double-needle work on the button and zipper vests, the town coat, our trousers—all the pants have two-needle pockets. It makes our clothes more durable, but there’s also art in it. Double-stitching is just more decorative.

SK: Do you have to sew everything twice, then?HN: Nope—it’s a double-needle machine. Two side-by-side needles, two spools of thread, two sewing at the same time.

SK: How long have you been stitching for Stormy Kromer?HN: Two years. I came back to Ironwood to be with my grandma, and I needed a job. I got the job to get a paycheck, but it turned into something I love. Now they can’t get rid of me!

SK: How do you feel knowing you’re stitching together a legend?
HN: I think about that a lot when I’m sewing—a hundred years ago, someone was doing this same thing. People still want it, and we’re making it the same way. By hand.

SK: So how many pieces of Kromer outdoor apparel do you have?
HN: Well, when I get one, it’s one for me and one for the boyfriend. So we have a few. I’ve got caps in pink, red/black plaid, green, black, brown and partridge plaid. All Originals. Oh, and one Ida Original. Yeah. A lot.

SK: What do you think of the new lines of clothing?
HN: I love that we’re growing and thinking abut the kinds of things people could really use when they’re out there freezing their toots off.

SK: Why is wool the fabric to work with?
HN: It’s warmer, and that’s what we’re looking for. You buy this cap or vest or jacket to stay warm, and it does the job.

SK: What do you do when you’re not making great Kromer gear?
HN: I like to travel, but mostly I’m here so my grandma has someone to holler to if she needs help. She’s 87, and I take care of her.

SK: Does she have a Stormy Kromer cap?HN: Well, I bought her one, but she’s an old-style finicky lady, and she won’t put a hat on her head. So the pink one I got for her—now it’s mine.

SK: Is there anything else you want to tell Stormy Kromer fans?
HN: This is the most comfortable thing you can wear in five-degree weather and not be bundled up like the Abominable Snowman or that kid in The Christmas Story. It’s fashionable and comfortable. I’d own every piece of it if I could!

A few months ago, Bob got an odd voicemail message. The caller stated that he had a ‘ceremonial’ baseball bat that had belonged to George Kromer and was wondering if anyone here at the company had an interest in it.

Indeed we did.

As it turns out, the bat was a part of George’s estate that had wound up with his estate attorney’s family. After some negotiations involving Stormy Kromer apparel, the bat has found its way here to SK Headquarters.

The bat, a Louisville Slugger, has an inscription that reads:
TESTIMONIAL DINNER, GEO. STORMY KROMER, NOVEMBER 5, 1954.

You can see the bat on display here at Stormy Kromer when you come for one of our free factory tours – offered Monday through Friday at 1:30 pm.